Generative AI (GenAI) is redefining how HR leaders interact with data, removing the steep learning curve traditionally associated with people analytics tools. When faced with a spike in hourly employee turnover, Sameer Raut, Vice President of HRIS at Sunstate Equipment, didn’t need to build a custom report or consult data scientists. Instead, he typed a plain-language query into a GenAI-powered chatbot:
“What are the top reasons for hourly employee terminations in the past 12 months?” Within seconds, he had his answer.
This shift in how HR professionals access data marks a significant evolution in workforce analytics. Tools powered by large language models (LLMs) are now integrated into leading analytics platforms such as Visier, Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, and Sisense. These platforms are leveraging GenAI to interpret natural language questions and deliver real-time, actionable insights without requiring technical expertise.
One of the major advantages of GenAI is its ability to unify fragmented HR data sources. It streamlines data cleansing, ensures consistency, and improves the accuracy of workforce metrics like headcount growth, recruitment gaps, and attrition trends. As Raut notes, tools like Visier’s GenAI assistant “Vee” allow him to make quick decisions during meetings, helping HR become more responsive and strategic.
This evolution is particularly valuable in a landscape where 39% of HR leaders cite limited analytics expertise as their biggest challenge, according to a 2023 Aptitude Research study.
GenAI removes this barrier by enabling intuitive data exploration across familiar platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. Frontline managers who may never open a BI dashboard can now access performance metrics and workforce trends instantly.
Experts believe this transformation is just beginning. While some analytics platforms are still improving their natural language processing capabilities, others are leading with more advanced and user-friendly GenAI chatbots.
These tools can even create automated visualizations and summaries tailored to executive audiences, enabling CHROs to tell compelling data stories during high-level meetings.
However, this transformation doesn’t come without risk. Data privacy remains a top concern, especially as GenAI tools engage with sensitive workforce data. HR leaders must ensure that platforms offer strict entitlement management and avoid training AI models on private customer data. Providers like Visier mitigate these risks by training their models solely on anonymized queries rather than real-world employee information.
As GenAI continues to evolve, it’s clear that its role in HR will only expand. From democratizing access to HR data to enhancing real-time decision-making and storytelling, this technology is becoming indispensable for organizations looking to stay agile and informed.